Coming Soon to Western Nebraska: Old West Balloon Fest!

Summer is the best time for family vacations. It’s the perfect time to take a road trip, exploring parts of America the Beautiful while creating memories and strengthening the bond that matters most: Family! As you plan your August vacation, the Twin Cities Development Association (TCD) wants you to consider Western Nebraska!

Old West Balloon Fest - August 7 - 10, 2024

The next “big thing” happening here is the 10th anniversary of the Old West Balloon Fest, August 7 - 10, 2024. 

For nine years, whether riding or watching, people have flocked to Gering, Nebraska, to witness hot air balloons fill the light blue sky with various colors. Events to take place: 

• August 7th - Welcome Wednesday
• August 8th - Western Nebraska Community College NIGHT GLOW
• August 9th & 10th - Morning Mass Ascension at Mitchell Recreation Field

While this festival is for all ages, you surely don’t want to miss Saturday, August 10th, as the day is full of all-ages fun after the Morning Mass Ascension:

• Craft Fair and Wiener Dog Races
• Corn Hole Tournament
• Old West Balloon Fest NIGHT GLOW and Drone Show

For more details, visit the Old West Balloon Fest website. We hope to see you there!

Explore Western Nebraska

Oregon Trail 

There’s plenty more to do in Western Nebraska, starting with visiting the Oregon Trail, one of the largest mass migrations in human history. The route started along the Missouri River in Independence, Missouri, until it connected to the Platte River in Kansas. Along the Platte River in Platte Valley, migrants’ trek through Nebraska was a month long. During the years of the Gold Rush, the Oregon Trail was renamed the Oregon-California Trail. The original Oregon Trail was the same for migrants searching for California’s gold until they reached Utah, where the trail would split. The Gold Rush ended in 1855, yet migrants continued to trek the Oregon-California Trail through 1859.

For the past 102 years, Nebraska has celebrated its rich history and heritage for 102 years with Oregon Trail Days, a four-day-long festival of fun for all ages and the longest, continuous-running celebration in the state. In 2022, the county had close to 40,000 tourists scattered throughout four days for this event.

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area & Nature Center

This family favorite on 1,100 acres in Gering has an extraordinary nature center, 3.5 miles of nature trails perfect for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, a shooting sports complex, and  beautiful terrain.

Hiking and Biking

Most visitors believe Nebraska to be flatland, but the Panhandle Region is a beautifully diverse landscape of forests, meadows, rivers, rugged hills and ridges. Hundreds of miles of old logging roads, paths and trails offer tremendous hiking and biking. Panhandle Trails is a phenomenal resource for familiarizing yourself with the area. 

Recreation and Tourism in Western Nebraska

TCD understands the importance of tourism and its role in the growth, success, and sustainability of Western Nebraska. With so much history, TCD is sure your first visit will not be your last. If you cannot attend the Old West Balloon Fest, we welcome you to explore Western Nebraska anyway. We have much to offer all-age outdoor enthusiasts and businesses wanting to expand or relocate. Contact TCD today.